Graphic data processor

Abstract

A graphic data processor for processing two-dimensional signals or one-dimensional signals such as observed graphic data. One graphic data processor includes circuitry for effecting two-dimensional Fourier conversion of the observed graphic data signals such that components occur with respect to first through fourth image limits on the resultant two-dimensional Fourier plane; circuitry for forming processed graphic data including circuitry for nullifying all but one of the components from the first through fourth image limits and circuitry for effecting two-dimensional inverse Fourier conversion on the one component to derive the processed graphic data; circuitry for determining the phase component of the processed graphic data; and circuitry for determining the local gradient of said phase component. Another graphic data processor includes circuitry for effecting one-dimensional Fourier conversion of the observed graphic data signals; circuitry for forming processed graphic data including circuitry for nullifying negative components, leaving positive components and circuitry for effecting one-dimensional inverse Fourier conversion on one component to drive the processed graphic data; circuitry for determining the phase component of the processed graphic data; and circuitry for determining the instantaneous frequency.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for processing observed data signals comprising the steps of: (a) effecting one-dimensional Fourier conversion of said observed graphic data signals;   (b) determining of one-dimensional analytic signals of graphic data, including effecting inverse one-dimensional Fourier conversion on the resultant of said one-dimensional Fourier conversion of the observed graphic data signals to derive the one-dimensional analytic signals; and   (c) determining the instantaneous frequencies of the one-dimensional analytic signals including calculating the differences in output phases of said one-dimensional analytic signals.   
     
     
       2. A method for processing two-dimensional signals such as observed graphic data of a body under examination comprising the steps of: (1) effecting two-dimensional Fourier conversion of the observed graphic data signals to obtain the frequency components of said observed graphic data signals in a two-dimensional Fourier plane;   (2) forming processed graphic data including the steps of nullifying the negative frequency components and leaving only the positive frequency components in said two-dimensional Fourier plane, and (b) effecting two-dimensional inverse Fourier conversion on said frequency components subjected to the operation of the step (a) to obtain analytical signals of said graphic data signals;   (3) determining the phase components of said analytic signals; and   (4) determining the instantaneous frequencies of said phase components.   
     
     
       3. A method for processing two-dimensional signals as defined in claim 2, further comprising the steps of: (5) obtaining said observed graphic data including radiating an ultrasonic pulse beam with directivity within a body under examination,   (6) receiving signals reflected from locations with varying audio impedances,   (7) specifying locations within the body under examination on the basis of the time elapsing between radiation of pulses to the reception of the corresponding reflected signals and also the direction of pulses issued,   (8) obtaining a correspondence between the size of the reflected signals and a luminance value, and   (9) deriving ultrasonic tomographs which convert the change in audio impedance from location to location in the body under examination into said observed graphic data.   
     
     
       4. A. method for processing two-dimensional signals defined in claim 2, further comprising in step (a), obtaining said observed graphic data utilizing an X-ray scanner. 
     
     
       5. A method for processing two-dimensional signals such as observed graphic data of a body under examination comprising the steps of: (a) effecting two-dimensional Fourier conversion of the observed graphic data signals such that components occur with respect to first through fourth image limits on the resultant two-dimensional Fourier plane;   (b) forming processed graphic data including nullifying all but one of the said components from the first through fourth image limits, and effecting two-dimensional inverse Fourier conversion on said one component to derive said processed graphic data;   (c) determining the phase component of said processed graphic data;   (d) determining the local gradient of said phase component;   (e) obtaining said observed graphic data including radiating an ultrasonic pulse beam with directivity within a body under examination;   (f) receiving signals reflected from locations with varying audio impedances;   (g) specifying locations within the body under examination on the basis of the time elapsing between radiation of pulses to the reception of the corresponding reflected signals and also the direction of pulses issued;   (h) obtaining a correspondence between the size of the reflected signals and a luminance value; and   (i) deriving ultrasonic tomographs which convert the change in audio impedance from location to location in the body under examination into said observed graphic data.